Though we may love achievements, having spent many an hour trying to achieve some semi-impossible task on a game just to hear the satisfying "bu-dink!" as we unlocked a digital award, we're well aware that our obsession isn't shared by everyone. In fact, plenty of people actually look down on achievements as being a total waste of time, with the gamerpoint score being nothing more than a virtual, and pointless measuring stick that's of no real value whatsoever. Until today, that is.
Starting today, via its Xbox Live Rewards program, Microsoft are offering the chance to earn real life rewards depending on how large your gamerscore is. With three levels available, one for 3000-9999 points, one for 10,000-24,999 points, and another for 25,000+ points, the number of achievements you've unlocked, and the total gamerpoints they're worth, will now let you unlock on of a number of levels of rewards - although there isn't much to shout about yet.
For those with a gamescore between 3000 and 9999, you'll unlock the "Contender" level, which earns you a "Special Gift in your birthday month". The next level up, "Champion", is reserved for people with a gamescore of 10,000-24,999, and on top of granting you an extra gift in your birthday month, gives you a 1% rebate on your purchases from the Xbox Live Marketplace every month. Meanwhile, the final level, Legend, increases the rebate to 2%.
It's worth putting into perspective exactly what's being asked here, as your average game has a maximum of 1000 gamerpoints (excluding extra achievements that come with add-ons), while an arcade game always used to have a limit of 200, now increased to 400 points. That means, to rank amongst the highest level, you'll need to have played, and finished 100%, at least 25 full priced games, or 125 old arcade games.
For those who've earnt one of the two higher levels, you'll be pleased to hear the rebate appears to be fairly thorough, with the rebate being eligible against pretty much anything you can buy, from add-ons and extras, to Arcade games and films, with the only things specifically mentioned as being ineligible being points purchases, and gold subscriptions.
To sign up, all you have to do is head over to rewards.xbox.com and log in with your Xbox Live account details. If your gamerscore meets the grade, all that's left to do then is sit back, make a few purchases, and watch the complimentary Microsoft Points roll in!
